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DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Adams Central could not have pushed the South Adams Starfires any closer to the brink of defeat without winning themselves as Addie Baker faced quite a predicament in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday in the rematch at the 2A South Adams Sectional.
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With two runners on and two out in a 5-4 game, the Jets were one barreled ball to the fence away from a huge upset against their rivals.
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It was not meant to be, however, as Addie Baker finished off a massive effort fittingly, with a strikeout, to advance the Starfires to the semifinals against Bluffton and end Adams Central’s season.
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Winning their 23rd game of the season and first game of this postseason, South Adams got the winning runs in their most typical fashion – with fantastic baserunning from Macy Pries and a big hit from Sophia Schwartz.
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The game was tied 3-3 heading into the seventh when Pries walked, stole second and then scored on the ensuing drama.
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A walk to Bekah Patterson set up Schwartz for the RBI opportunity, putting the Stars up 5-3 heading into the bottom of the last inning.
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An infield error and two base hits to lead off the inning gave Adams Central hope, with Izzy Isch driving in Melina Peralez to cut the lead to 5-4 with no outs.
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That’s when Baker dug down deep and got two pop ups to the outfield. She ended the game striking out the final batter swinging, a fitting end to the game and springboard to the next.
Avery Brown gave the Starfires an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning, but a two-run double by Peralez tied the game in the third.
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Baker finished the game with seven strikeouts, but she was touched for 11 hits by Adams Central. Lilli Jackson struck out seven, as well, allowing six hits and four walks.
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Athena Schwartz’s double to lead off the third was the only extra-base hit allowed by Baker, while Brown’s home run was the only extra-base hit for the Stars.
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South Adams will play Bluffton at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Fans can hear that game live on WZBD, 92.7 FM.